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She glared at me, which only made my shadows flare and slither around us with renewed energy as if they enjoyed that spark of defiance.

It wasn’t what I needed from her.

“W-what are you doing?”

I took a shuddering breath, trying to draw them back, but they weren’t listening. “I’m not doing this.”

“What?” Her panicked gaze met mine. “You’re lying. Stop this.”

I dropped my head, willing my shadows to retreat, but they refused to listen.

“Don’t run,” I bit out through clenched teeth, forehead against her shoulder.

I wasn’t sure I could stop them from reacting to her fear.

“Will they hurt me?”

I brushed my thumb over her cheek. “I won’t let them.” A shadow followed my hand, caressing her cheek as if to reassure her, too. It bewildered me how much they craved her. “Trust me.”

Her heartbeat accelerated. I could see it in the pulse fluttering at her neck.

“Calm down. Don’t be afraid. You’ll provoke them,” I whispered, lifting my head to peer down at her, willing her to understand.

Her brows pulled together, and then her mouth parted in an O shape.

I hoped she understood that my shadows were responding to her anxiety. They wanted both to soothe and to claim. Whenever she fought back or complied, they settled. I needed her to be herself—not fearful of me.

Would she be able to mask her fear?

Her nose wrinkled, and she sneered at me. “Let me go.”

The corner of my mouth twitched into a grin.

“I mean it. I don’t wanna play games with you or your shadows.”

I brushed a finger over her forehead, moving a strand of hair. “But they want to play with you.”

“Too bad. I don’t consent to that.” She looked down at the one insistent on snaking under the hem of her skirt, and it immediately unwound itself, writhing in the air as if unsure of its next move.

Like me, they didn’t want her unwilling submission. I’d gambled on them craving the same thing from her I did—her willing surrender. I’d never had evidence to support the hypothesis, but a lifetime spent learning their impulses had led me to trust my instincts.

I leaned in, pleased with her act, and whispered, “Good girl.” My lips brushed the shell of her ear.

Her lips parted as she stared up at me, pupils dilated.

Another interesting reaction I filed away for another time.

Right now, I needed to get her away from me. My shadows still writhed around us, agitated and pushing for another chance to touch her.

They’d respected her refusal, but I didn’t know how long that would last. They were unpredictable when agitated, and whatever they craved from her was stronger than anything I’d experienced with them before. I wouldn’t risk that desire eventually overpowering their need for her willing submission.

I knew myself. I would never take her choice away from her. But my shadows were volatile, and right now, I couldn’t guarantee they shared that restraint.

“I need you to walk away,” I continued to whisper in her ear. “Walk away as if we’re finished with our conversation.” I lifted my head, pushing off the wall and finally releasing her wrist.

“Will you be okay?”

“Don’t concern yourself with me right now.”